ºìÐÓÊÓƵ

ºìÐÓÊÓƵ School has officially begun its centenary year with a joyful Opening Celebration bringing together pupils, parents, staff, governors and honoured guests to mark 100 years of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ.

The special event on Friday 18 September marked the beginning of twelve months of celebrations, reflecting on the school’s history while looking ahead to its future.

ºìÐÓÊÓƵ was founded by brothers Dudley and Christopher Bull, who opened the school on 21 September 1926 with just seven pupils. One hundred years later, almost 500 children from six months to 13 years old are part of the school community.

The school was honoured to welcome members of the Bull family to the celebration, descendants of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ’ founders, providing a particularly special connection to the school’s earliest days.

.

                             

Headmaster Adrian Floyd opened the celebrations by welcoming pupils, parents, staff and guests and reflecting on what has made ºìÐÓÊÓƵ special throughout its history.

“A school is so much more than its buildings – it is the people, the relationships and the memories that are created here,” he said. “For 100 years, ºìÐÓÊÓƵ has been a place where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, discover what they love and achieve their very best. While much has changed since 1926, that warm, family spirit remains at the heart of the school.”

The welcome was followed by a beautiful performance of Seasons of Love by the Senior Choir, with a particularly outstanding solo from Bryony.

. .

A highlight of the event was a Centenary Address from Gillian Penny, daughter of original founder Dudley Bull. Speaking to the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ community, Gillian reflected on her father and the school’s beginnings, providing a particularly special link between the school’s past and its present.

Father Paul, Interim Priest-in-Charge at St  Marys Church, Bletchingley, then read a special Centenary Prayer that he had composed for the occasion, bringing together the themes of gratitude for ºìÐÓÊÓƵ’ history and hope for its future.

There was also a chance to look back at a more recent chapter in ºìÐÓÊÓƵ history when Adrian and Deputy Head Andy Morris opened a time capsule buried at the school in 2007. Inside was a fascinating collection of memories from the school at the time, including pupils’ work, photographs and a signed cricket hat. Among the photographs were images of staff members, some of whom are still part of the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ community today and were watching from the audience as the capsule was opened. Seeing their younger selves emerge from the capsule made for a particularly memorable moment.

The past was followed by a glimpse into the future, as three ºìÐÓÊÓƵ pupils read their own visions of what the school might look like when its bicentenary arrives in 2126. Their remarkably well-composed and confidently delivered presentations imagined a very different ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, complete with flying cars and transporters – and provided plenty of laughs along the way.

  .

Looking ahead to the next century, Andy Morris, currently Deputy Head and set to become Headmaster in September 2027, reflected on the opportunities ahead while recognising the importance of the school’s distinctive family spirit.

“ºìÐÓÊÓƵ has always been a school with a strong sense of family and community, and that is something I have seen first-hand throughout my many years here,” he said. “As we celebrate 100 years of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, we have a wonderful opportunity to look back at everything that has made the school special, while also thinking about the future. I am incredibly excited to be part of that future and to help build on the many things that make ºìÐÓÊÓƵ such a special place for children.”

The school’s Centenary Flag was subsequently raised by the Chair of Tandridge District Council, Councillor Shiner, officially marking the start of the centenary year.

Adrian also reflected on the exciting opportunities ahead for the school, including its flourishing Nursery and strong partnership with Caterham School.

“As we celebrate our centenary, we are also looking forward. ºìÐÓÊÓƵ is in a really exciting place, with so many opportunities for our pupils, a flourishing Nursery and a strong partnership with Caterham School. I am proud of what the school has achieved over the past 100 years and excited about what comes next.”

The celebrations ended in spectacular fashion with a surprise flash mob involving 100 dance pupils from Pre-School through to Year 7. As the music began, pupils joined the performance from across the event, building into a joyful and energetic celebration of 100 years of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed taking part, bringing plenty of enthusiasm, energy and big smiles to their performance.

. 

Parents and guests enjoyed raising a glass to toast 100 years of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, with Year 8 pupils serving canapés as the celebrations continued.

  . 

The Centenary Opening Celebration was a fitting start to ºìÐÓÊÓƵ at 100 – bringing together the people, memories and traditions that have shaped the school over the past century, while giving its pupils the chance to imagine what the next 100 years might hold. 

The celebrations will continue throughout the 2026–27 academic year, with a programme of centenary events and activities bringing together the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ community, past and present.